The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute honoured exceptional women leaders from different sectors for their outstanding achievements at a glitering ceremony held in Dubai to mark the International Women’s Day.

The 11th 'Middle East Women Leaders Awards 2012' were given at the function held at Armani Hotel- Burj Khalifa on Friday in the presence of UAE Minister of State Reem Al Hashimi.

These awards recognize and encourage the grit and determination of women who have conquered the odds and have reached challenging positions in diverse areas like business, government, industry, education and other related fields, said the organisers.

The top award 'Middle East Woman Personality of the Year, 2012' went to Princess Ameerah Al Taweel, the wife of Saudi Prince Alwaleed and vice president of Al Waleed Bin Talal Foundation.

The other award winners are:

*Corporate Management Woman CEO Excellence Award: Dr Aisha Bin Bishr,  the Assistant Director-General, The Executive Office
*Woman in Society Development Excellence Award: Sonia Al Hashimi, Chairperson, UAE Down Syndrone Association
*Woman in Society Development Excellence Award: Afra Al Basti, Director General for Dubai, Foundation for Women and Children
*Woman in Society Development Excellence Award: Fawziah A. Alhani, Social development & Women empowerment center, Founder & Manager
*Woman in Society Development Excellence Award: Naima Abdel-Rahman Al-Zamil, Society President Dr Charity
*Best Organization for Women Talents Development: General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training- Received by Dr. Muneerah Sulimana Al-Aloula, Deputy Governor for Girls training
*Best Organization for Women Talent Development: American University of Sharjah, received by Dr Thomas Hochstettler – Provost, American University of Sharjah
*Woman in Knowledge Management Excellence Award: Dr Asmae El Koutbi – UAE, President of UAE Geography Association
*Women in Medicine and Science Research Excellence Award: Dr. Marwa Bint Muhammad Al- Bakri
*Women in Oil Industry Excellence Award: Dr. Meena Marafie, Manager Petroleum Refining Department at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
*Women Pilot Excellence Award: Captain Kalina Comenho, Emirates Airline  
*Women Pilot Excellence Award: Salma Al Beloushi, Etihad Airways, Etihad's first Emirati female pilot
*Woman in ICT Development Excellence Award: Iman Al-Humeidan, Assistant General Secretary, Kuwait Awqaf
*Woman in Engineering and Architecture Excellence Award: Nadia Bakhurji, First Saudi Lady Architect, Secretary General of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation
*Women Poets and Writers Excellence Award: Dr. Thuraya al Arrayed, Arab thought leader, poet & writer
*Women in Film Production Excellence Awards: Haifaa Al-Mansour, Saudi Producer

These awards have been organized for the past several years as a leading platform to raise awareness about the role of women in the 21st century, said the Middle East Excellence Awards Institute in a statement.

“Since time immemorial, women are playing a significant role in the development of humankind. The objective of these awards is to recognize how women and their organizations in the Middle East have made significant contributions to the development of the Arab society,' said Ali Al Kamali, the managing director of the institute.

'The qualities of women that are most appreciated include their ingenious ideas, value addition to the organization, ability to adapt to new technology, and consistent performance even in trying situations,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service